A surprise decision on signing day in February bumped expectations for Oregon’s defensive front up a few notches, giving the unit another potential star alongside quarterback antagonist Kenny Rowe. He may not be on the official two-deep just yet, but Ricky Heimuli, who kept his college choice quiet until signing day this year, definitely looks the part of an impact defensive tackle in the Pac-10 Conference. The Ducks figured to be solid if unspectacular up the middle defensively in 2010, led by senior tackle Brandon Bair. Tall and rangy, he can produce a lot of leverage against opposing blockers, and Bair is up to about 275 pounds this fall. He’ll be paired at tackle in the starting lineup with Zac Clark, a versatile lineman who is stout but athletic. Behind them on the official two-deep are redshirts Wade Keliikipi, a spring standout whose first fall was cut short by shoulder surgery, and Taylor Hart, who is built in the mold of Bair. The biggest body in the group, though, belongs to Heimuli, who is up to about 310 pounds as camp opens. As with any freshman at that size, his conditioning levels can’t be expected to be tip-top out of the gate, but the Ducks figure to rotate eight or nine guys on the line to keep them fresh.

Rowe is the defining player on the line, not only because of his production but because how he lines up usually determines whether the Ducks present a 4-3 or 3-4 front to the opposition. Oregon does have even more exotic looks it can present, but Rowe is the real key to the defense’s versatility. He can either line up in a three-point stance in the 4-3, or drop back and stand up in the 3-4. Rowe’s primary backup last fall was Tyrell Irvin, but converted linebacker Brandon Hanna is expected to push for playing time in August. Another converted guy, former tight end and receiver Dion Jordan, will challenge for a starting spot on the other end. Terrell Turner looked like the favorite to replace Will Tukuafu when spring drills opened, but Jordan had a big month of April. Anthony Anderson, on the other end, had a relatively quiet spring after being named defensive scout-team player of the year last fall. Anderson is up to about 235 pounds, having added quite a bit of muscle this offseason. Junior college transfer Isaac Remington also figures to challenge for playing time this month.

Last year, Oregon’s defensive line was good but not great, and got pushed around a bit by Stanford. This figures to be an interesting and potentially different year for the Duck D linemen, and others around the league. Running backs like Toby Gerhart, Jahvid Best and Joe McKnight are gone, and the Pac-10 appears to be in line for a year more defined by quarterback play. That may favor an Oregon line that is built around quickness, technique and varying its looks, rather than brute force. Of course, if Heimuli develops quickly and comes even a little close to matching the level of production from a guy like Haloti Ngata, another guy plucked by the Ducks out of Utah, it might be a different story.

The Ducks will feel good on Sept. 4 if: They have eight or nine solid contributors they can count on to rotate throughout games on the defensive line.

The Ducks should be worried on Sept. 4 if: Jordan doesn’t match his production from the spring, the freshmen stall in their development and it’s left to four or five guys to hold down the line.